Spotlight on Schizophrenia
It is still unclear what causes the delusions that characterise a psychosis. However, scientists have found a series of risk genes for schizophrenia which they hope can provide clues to its causes and new cures. The most urgent issue, though, is combating the sharp increase in cardiovascular disease which can shorten patients' lives by 15-20 years.
Prisoner in another world
Prisoner in another world
By taking a closer look at how genes are linked with schizophrenia, scientists hope to understand the causes and find better remedies
Facts about schizophrenia
Facts about schizophrenia
In Sweden, there are between 30,000 and 50,000 people with schizophrenia. Each year there are approximately 2,000 people in Sweden who suffer a psychosis.
"It's worse than being in a nightmare"
"It's worse than being in a nightmare"
Peter Johansson, 55, can clearly distinguish between before and after his schizophrenia diagnosis.
"Treatment halves violent crime"
"Treatment halves violent crime"
Professor Paul Lichtenstein has studied over 82,000 Swedes with a psychiatric diagnosis.
Treatable mechanism identified in patients with schizophrenia
Treatable mechanism identified in patients with schizophrenia
For reasons that are unclear, schizophrenia patients have fewer connections between the neurons in the brain. Researchers have now discovered that there is an excessive degradation of connections in the brain of these patients, and that treatment in adolescence with the antibiotic minocycline inhibits the degradation.
Combination therapy might be beneficial in schizophrenia
Combination therapy might be beneficial in schizophrenia
Combining certain types of two antipsychotic agents in the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia is associated with a lower risk of relapse than using monotherapy, according to a new study by KI Professor Jari Tiihonen and coelleagues.